Oliver & S Spring Patterns: The Roller Skate Tunic

Welcome to the second stop on the "Rolling Tour" of the soon-to-be-released Oliver & S Roller Skate Dress and Tunic! Kristin started us off this morning, and Cherie will be the caboose this afternoon.

Elsie was not what you would call super excited about this rushed evening photoshoot. Not one bit. 

Then I got wise and started pushing M&M's her way and letting her stand on the side table. 

Mirth and excitement followed, no luck on the standing still though. M&M's can only do so much with the under 2 crowd. 

Somehow I was lucky enough to receive the brand new Oliver & S spring patterns a little bit earlier than release so I could have some fun with them. (Ahem, lucky enough= buddies with Kristin.) I love their patterns for the same reasons as everyone who sews with them- they are so cute and stylish, trustworthy, well-constructed, not too frilly, and you always learn something new using them. But also, as someone who works in a fabric and sewing shop, I don't know what I'd do without them. We carry them all, and when someone comes in looking for something to sew their little girl or boy, I can always find an Oliver & S pattern to recommend that fits the bill. And I can usually say to the customer that I've sewn whatever the particular pattern is myself as my own collection grows. They are setting the standard, and their two newest designs are just as fresh and precise as we've all come to expect. 

So this first new offering is called the Roller Skate dress & tunic pattern. I made the tunic length, without the optional yoke, so it's basically just two pattern pieces. It's designed to be fully lined, but I cut the lining to the same length, making it fully reversible. It's got an adorable built-in cap sleeve, and an elastic casing that gives it the cutest shape.

 Since the shape of the tunic or dress without the yoke is so straightforward and simple, it's the perfect  pattern for using a large, bold print. I have been dying to use this gorgeous tribal ikat-ish print we got in recently at Sewn Studio, and I'm so happy I got to here! It's called Boucherouite Blush from the Luxe in Bloom Collection by Sarah Watson for Art Gallery. This has got to be my favorite collection from Art Gallery ever. (I really can't wait for her next one, Indian Summer.) The coral pink on the reverse side is called Crystalline Reef, from the same collection. The softness that AG fabrics are known for is really great on this comfy top, and makes me wants to use them for garments a lot more.

 On the back it has a simple one button and loop closure. I used a pearl shank button from my vintage collection.



This pattern is so quick and satisfying. I'll definitely be trying the dress length, and probably another tunic with the cute v-notched yoke. I made a size 2 and discovered that you can squeeze one tunic out of two half yards- perfect.

Thanks so much to Liesl for letting us have fun with the new spring patterns! Kristin posted her super sweet dress version this morning, and Cherie has the tunic with yoke on the way this afternoon. It's our little "Rolling Tour." (GET IT?)  The pattern will be available for you to purchase online tomorrow, and at Sewn Studio (or your local shop) soon after that!



Next week I'll be back with my version of the versatile Pinwheel Pattern. Yay!